Azoospermia or zero sperm count – what is it?
Azoospermia is a fertility diagnosis for men, meaning that no active sperm cells are present in a semen sample. Read more about azoospermia and what it means for your chances of becoming a father in this blog post.
What is azoospermia (zero sperm count)?
Sperm count refers to the number of sperm cells in an ejaculate. If you have been diagnosed with azoospermia, also called zero sperm count, it means that no sperm cells have been found in your semen. Men diagnosed with azoospermia have little to no chance of conceiving unless they improve their sperm count or seek help at a fertility clinic.
Types of azoospermia
In general, there are two types of azoospermia:
Obstructive azoospermia (OA)
Obstructive azoospermia occurs when there is a blockage or obstruction in the male reproductive system, which prevents sperm cells from being ejaculated. Despite the blockage, sperm production in the testicles is typically normal, meaning that sperm retrieval is a treatment option. Read more about obstructive azoospermia here.
Non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA)
Non-obstructive azoospermia occurs when sperm production is at fault rather than its transportation. This means that men with non-obstructive azoospermia produce little to no sperm, often resulting in male infertility.
Struggling to get pregnant?
If you have had unsuccessful fertility treatment using your own sperm, it may be worth considering other options, like using a sperm donor. Contact us to learn more about the process and how to get started.
How common is azoospermia?
In general, azoospermia is relatively rare affecting about 1% of all men and, according to this study, 15% of all infertile men. This means that even though azoospermia is rather rare, it is a significant factor when it comes to reasons for male infertility.
How is azoospermia diagnosed?
Azoospermia can only be diagnosed through a sperm test, as a fertility doctor needs to evaluate the sperm to see whether any sperm cells are present. Once the doctor diagnoses the patient with azoospermia, they can proceed to examine whether the patient struggles with obstructive or non-obstructive azoospermia. Determining whether a man suffers from obstructive or non-obstructive azoospermia will often involve a series of tests like a general examination of the male reproductive system, hormonal testing, and a genetic test.
Articles related to azoospermia
What causes zero sperm count?
Many things are known to cause azoospermia. Below, we have made a list of the most common causes of azoospermia:
- Genetics: Genetic flaws can affect many parts of the male reproductive system and cause azoospermia. Some men are not able to produce sperm cells at all, while others cannot transfer the sperm cells from the testicles to the ejaculate without damaging them, thus leading to zero healthy sperm cells in the ejaculate.
- Surgeries or accidents: Some men have been through accidents or diseases where they needed surgery or treatment that may have affected their sperm production. As an example, chemotherapy can affect sperm production negatively.
- Lifestyle factors: An unhealthy lifestyle containing fatty foods, cigarettes, and alcohol will harm your fertility and sperm production. Fortunately, it is possible to improve your lifestyle, thus increasing your sperm count and chances of conceiving.
- Hormonal imbalance: Hormones are an important part of sperm production and the male reproductive system. A hormonal imbalance may lead to a decreased ability to produce sperm.
- Physical conditions: Sperm production could also be affected by physical conditions such as large veins on the testicles which can affect sperm production negatively.
Can azoospermia be treated?
If your sperm count is zero and you have been diagnosed with azoospermia there are several options for you to consider depending on the cause. Before you proceed with any of the options, we recommend you contact your doctor to ensure whether the cause is due to a blockage (obstructive azoospermia) or non-production (non-obstructive azoospermia). Your doctor may also be able to help you plan your journey towards parenthood. Some of the treatment options are:
- Surgical treatment: Depending on the cause of your azoospermia, you may be able to receive surgical treatment to restore your ability to produce healthy sperm cells.
- Assisted reproduction technologies (ART): In theory, only one sperm cell is needed to create a pregnancy. If you can produce some sperm cells, you could try fertility treatment like IVF or ICSI.
Ways to become a father without treatment
If the treatment fails, there are still ways for you to become a father. The most popular option is to use a sperm donor, as your partner maintains a genetic connection to the child. The other way is to contact an adoption agency to try and adopt a child. If you need answers to any questions related to fertility treatment like IUI with donor sperm or IVF with donor sperm, contact our Customer Care Team, who will be happy to help.